Connection Types - Pipes
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Table of Contents
Metal Pipe Connection Types/Joining Methods
Welding
Welding is a manufacturing process where parts/components are joined together through heat. Welding stainless steel is more difficult than other materials such as carbon steel because you need to exercise more care in temperature and choice of filler material [1][2].
Tig welding to connect 2 pieces of stainless steel
- Good sanitation of pieces if done correctly
- Low amount of maintenance needed
- Connection is permanent
- High initial cost
Figure 1: Stainless steel joining method [1]. |
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Tri-Clamp
Tri-Clamp is a connection method first developed Alfa-Laval under the product name Tri-Clover. It functions by having two tri-clamp ends connected to aluminium pipes, a gasket to seal the two ends, and a clamp to lock everything into place [2].
Used for tubing requiring high sanitation
- Easy to install and seal
- Common for food and beverage production
- Does not leak before failure
Figure 2: Tri-Clamp/Tri-Clover Connection [3]. |
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Bevel Seat
Bevel Seat is a connection thread type that is very common in North America. It functions by having a male and female connector be joined together by a gasket, and tightened with a nut to seal [2].
ACME Standards
- Required special tooling wrench to tighten/loosen
- Will leak before failure
- Common thread type in Canada and the US
Figure 3: Bevel Seat Connection [4]. |
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DIN
DIN is a threaded connector type first developed in Germany, and stands for Deutsche Industrial Norme. Like the Bevel Seat, it functions with a male and female connector, accompanied by a gasket and a nut to seal. The product however is more common in Europe and China [2].
- Used in food and beverage
- Type 11850: Metric Standard
- Type 11851: Imperial Standard
- Required special tooling wrench to tighten/loosen
- For German brewing, use metric standard DIN Type 11850
- For North American piping, use imperial standard DIN Type 11851
- Will leak before failure
- Used in food and beverage
Figure 4: DIN Connection [5]. |
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SMS
A threaded connection type that is less common than DIN. But also functions with a male and female connector, accompanied by a gasket and a nut to seal. Originally developed in Sweden, SMS stands for Swedish Milk Standard [2].
- Required special tooling wrench to tighten/loosen
- Common thread type in Europe and China
- Will leak before failure
Figure 5: SMS Connection [6]. |
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Cam and Groove
The Cam and Groove connection type is also called the Camlock fitting. It functions with a male end and a female end, and are mostly used for hosing connections [2].
- Easy to use and connect
- No tools required for installation
- Used for quick changing hoses
- Used for home brewing as opposed to industrial usage
- Used for hosing requiring low maintenance
Figure 6: Cam and Groove Connection [7]. |
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NPT Thread
NPT Thread North American technical standard which stands for National Pipe Thread. It functions with a male end and a female end, and is more commonly used for non-sanitary piping rather than sanitary tubing [2].
- Material type requires different sealing aid
- Fluid type requires different sealing aid
- Requires a wrench to install or adjust
- Can be permanent or temporary
Figure 7: NPT Thread Connection [8]. |
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Garden Hose Thread
Garden Hose Thread connectors are usually used for water applications such as wash down hoses. It functions with a male end and a female end, accompanied by a gasket [2].
- Slightly different than NPT Thread
- 11.5 thread per inch
- Inner diameter of 3/8", 1/2", 3/4"
- Quick-release version available
Figure 8: Garden Hose Thread Connection [9]. |
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Hose Barb
The Hose Barb connection allows for easy push-connection for stainless steel and elastic hoses. It functions with a male barb end and a female hose end, and is sometimes accompanied by a external clamp [2].
- Purposed to be permanent; can be temporary
- Liquid and Gas applications
- Good for connecting stainless steel to a flexible material
- Usually lower operational pressures
Figure 9: Hose Barb Connection [10]. |
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Push to Connect
Push to Connect connection type is intended for use on hydraulic and pneumatic systems. It functions with a female port end, and a male hose end [2].
- Easy to install
- Easy to uninstall/disconnect
- Sizing is very important; hoses can pop through connection
- Must accurately convert between metric and imperial
- Used for processes: air/hydraulic fluid supply
Figure 10: Push to Connect Connection [11]. |
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Plastic and PE Pipe Connection Types/Joining Methods
Thermal Heat Fusion Methods
Thermal heat fusion is a connection method where two surfaces are heated to a specific temperature, then fused together with sufficient force applied. The melted surface of the materials will flow and mix, resulting in two pieces fusing into one. If the process is done correctly according to the manufacturers standards, the the joint area will be as strong as or stronger than the pipe in both tensile and pressure strength. In addition, connection through thermal heat fusion ensures that joints are leak proof [12].
Butt Fusion
Butt Fusions are usually used to ensure a permanent leak proof connection between individual lengths of piping. A machine can be used for quality Butt Fusions [12].
Procedure: (according to the Plastic Pipes Institute)
- Clean, clamp, and align the pipe ends to be connected
- Face the pipe ends; establish clean, parallel surfaces perpendicular to the pipe centerline
- Align the pipe ends
- Melt the pipe interfaces
- Join the pipes together by contacting the melted ends, and apply adequate force
- Hold under pressure until the connection is cooled
| Figure 11: Butt Fusion Connection [12]. |
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Conventional Fusion
Conventional, or also known as Saddle Fusions are used to join a saddle to the side of a pipe. This method ensures a permanent leak proof connection, and requires that two ends: one concave, and one convex, to be heated prior to fusion. A machine is almost always used [12].
Procedure: (according to the Plastic Pipes Institute)
- Clean the surface of the pipe where fusion is intended to be
- Install heater saddle adapter
- Install the saddle fusion machine on the pipe
- Align the parts
- Heat both the pipe and the saddle fitting
- Press and hold the two parts together
- Once the pieces are cooled and fused, remove the machine
| Figure 12: Conventional/Saddle Fusion Connection [12]. |
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Socket Fusion
Socket Fusions are formed when the external surface of the pipe end and the internal surface of the socket fitting are heated, and pushed to join together [12].
Procedure: (according to the Plastic Pipes Institute)
- Clean the outer surface of the pipe end, and the inner surface of the fitting
- Square and prepare the pipe end
- Heat both the parts
- Join the parts through pushing and applying pressure
- Allow parts to cool and fuse
| Figure 13: Socket Fusion Connection [12]. |
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Electrofusion
Electrofusion is a type of heat fusion that differs because of the method by which heat is applied. In other words, instead of using a heating tool to heat the pipe and fitting surfaces, electrofusion internally heats joints by the use of a conductor or a conductive polymer. Given this, electrofusion requires a conductive material, and a electric current.
Procedure: (according to the Plastic Pipes Institute)
- Prepare the pipe through scraping or cleaning
- Mark the pipe
- Align and restrain pipe and fitting based on manufacturer's specifications
- Apply electric current
- Cool and remove the clamps
- Document the fusion process
Figure 14: Electrofusion Connection [12]. |
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Flange Connections
Types of flange connection types can be found on the main Connection Types page under the ChE Subwiki.
Pipe Thread Forms
| Thread Form | Image | Description | Usage | Standard |
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British Standard Pipe Tap and ISO Taper Pipe |
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American Standard Pipe Taper (NPT) |
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American Standard Pipe Straight (NPS) |
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American Standard Pipe Taper Fuel DRYSEAL NPTF |
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Other Connection Types
Information on connection types can be found on the Connection Types page.